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CROAL CROWNED APPRENTICE CHAMPION AT 2026 CARILEC LINEWORKERS RODEO – 6 AWARDS FOR TEAM BVIEC
Tortola, British Virgin Islands, April 27, 2026 — Apprentice lineworker Jio Vonni Croal is the Overall Apprentice Champion of the 2026 CARILEC Lineworkers Rodeo, after tallying an impressive 398 points and leading Team BVIEC to a six-award finish in Dominica on Sunday, April 26.
Croal’s performance was matched by strong showings across the entire Team BVIEC roster. Showcasing skill, speed, and resilience across multiple events, the team affirmed the Territory’s growing strength on the regional energy-utility stage. Of the six awards earned, including four first-place titles, four came from the Apprentice category and two from the Experienced category, demonstrating the depth of talent across all levels of BVIEC’s lineworkers.
Meet the Team
Representing the Territory in the Apprentice category were:
- Loinel Smith
- Jio-Van Croal
- Malvern Wyke
Competing in the Experienced category were:
- Trevor Stevens (Team Leader)
- Edward Pollock
- Shaquil Samuel
- Toriano King
- Damien Richardson
Event Results
Apprentice Category
- Overall Apprentice Champion — Jio Vonni Croal (398 points)
- 1st Place — HV Fuse Link Replacement (1-Phase) — Jio-Van Croal
- 2nd Place — 1-Phase Equipotential Ground — Loinel Smith
- 3rd Place — Hurt Man Rescue — Jio Vonni Croal
Experienced Category
- 1st Place — HT Cutout Installation — Team BVIEC
- 1st Place — 3-Phase Equipotential Ground — Team BVIEC
The CARILEC Lineworkers Rodeo is widely regarded as the premier showcase of technical skill in the Caribbean utility sector, bringing together lineworkers from across the region to compete in events that mirror the demanding, high-stakes work performed daily on the electricity grid. Each competition is judged not only on speed but on safety, precision, and adherence to industry-best practices.
Comments from Leadership
BVIEC General Manager Dr. Neil Smith congratulated the team on their outstanding performance:
“I could not be prouder of what our lineworkers have accomplished in Dominica. To see Jio Vonni crowned Apprentice Overall Champion of the Caribbean and to stand alongside the very best in the region with six awards and four gold finishes speaks volumes about the talent, training, and dedication of every member of Team BVIEC. These are the men who climb the poles, restore power after outages, and keep the lights on for every household and business in this Territory. Their performance on the regional stage is a reflection of the world-class standards we hold ourselves to here at home.”
Dr. Smith also thanked the wider BVIEC family for the support that made the team’s preparation possible:
“A result like this is never the work of one team alone. It is the product of years of investment in training, safety, and equipment, and the unwavering support of colleagues across every department of the Corporation. I want to thank our Board of Directors, our partners at CARILEC and most especially the families of our competitors who back them every step of the way. The Virgin Islands should be proud, as we at BVIEC certainly are.”
About the CARILEC Lineworkers Rodeo
The Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) Lineworkers Rodeo is an annual regional competition that brings together lineworkers from across the Caribbean to demonstrate proficiency in core utility tasks. The event promotes safety, professional development, and camaraderie among the region’s electric utilities.
About BVIEC
The British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation is the sole provider of electricity services in the Virgin Islands, committed to delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable power to residents, businesses, and visitors throughout the Territory. BVIEC continues to invest in workforce development, grid modernization, and resilience to meet the evolving energy needs of the Virgin Islands.
